Connecticut 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 955 — AN ACT REQUIRING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS PUBLIC SERVICES.

Last action — PUBLIC HEARING 0321

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

164 added · 26 removed

164 line(s) added, 26 removed.

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General Assembly Proposed Bill No.
General Assembly Committee Bill No.
1458 Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTIONS Introduced by:
6254 Referred to Committee on GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AND ELECTIONS Introduced by:
SEN.
(GAE) AN ACT REQUIRING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS PUBLIC SERVICES.
RAHMAN, 4 Dist.
(By Request) AN ACT REQUIRING STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS PUBLIC SERVICES.
That the general statutes be amended to (1) require any state agency, political subdivision of the state or other organization that receives state funding and has a contract with the state to provide public services to ensure (A) individuals whose primary language is not English have access to such public services, including health care services and education;
Section 1.
(B) their staff is trained in working with such individuals;
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) As used in this section and sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act:
and (C) the availability of translation and interpretation services in languages that reflect the populations in the state, including, but not limited to, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Haitian, Hindi, French, Russian and sign language;
(1) "Limited English proficiency individuals" means individuals whose primary and preferred language is not English and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English.
(2) require state agencies to designate a language access coordinator responsible for coordinating services and implementing language access policies and provide a language access plan on the agency's Internet web site;
(2) "Language access" means the provision of services, information and resources in languages other than English to ensure equitable access.
(3) require state LCO No.
(3) "Interpretation services" means the provision of spoken language and sign language assistance, including in-person interpreters, telephonic interpretation services and video remote interpretation services by a qualified interpreter.
1458 1 of 2 Proposed Bill No.
955 agencies to revise written and electronic materials to ensure they are accessible to people of varying literacy levels;
(4) require the Department of Consumer Protection to establish an Office of Language Access to oversee state language access policies and investigate complaints of noncompliance;
and (5) require state agencies to collect and report data concerning language needs of the populations served.
Statement of Purpose:
To require the adoption of various policies concerning the offering of translation and interpretation services to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to programs and services offered by state and local government agencies, contractorsand other entities that receive state funding.
1458 2 of 2
6254 1 of 6 Committee Bill No.955 (4) "Translation services" means the provision of written materials, includingforms,brochures,websitesandotherinformationalmaterials, in languages other than English.
(5) "Qualified interpreter" means an individual who is fluent in both English and a target language and has received formal training.
(6) "Covered entity" means any agency, department or organization within the state that receives state or federal funding or otherwise provides public services.
(7) "State contractor" means an entity that has entered into a state contract with a state or quasi-public agency.
(8) "State contract" means a contract (A) between an entity and a state or quasi-public agency, or (B) for the receipt of financial assistance by an entity from the state, including federal funding.
(9) "Subcontractor" means a person who performs work for a state contractor pursuant toa contract for workforthestateoramunicipality.
(b) Each covered entity as well as each state contractor and subcontractor receiving state or federal funds shall:
(1) Implement policies that ensure meaningful access to their programs and services for limited English proficiency individuals;
(2) Conduct an assessment of the language needs of the communities they serve, including the collection and analysis of demographic data such as the 2020 Census and the American Community Survey estimates, or successive survey, to identify languages spoken by limited English proficiency individuals;
(3) Ensure the availability oftranslation and interpretation services in languages that reflect the limited English proficiency individuals in the state, including, but not limited to, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, Italian, Haitian, Hindi, French, Russian and others, based on the LCO No.
6254 2 of 6 Committee Bill No.955 dialects and needs identified based upon the assessment conducted under subdivision (2) of this subsection;
(4) Provide sign language interpretation and other accommodations for individuals with hearing impairments in all public services and programs in their preferred language;
and (5) Ensure that all public-facing materials and communications are written in plain language, making them understandable to a broad audience, including individuals with limited literacy or limited English proficiency individuals.
(c) Each state agency shall develop and implement a language access plan that includes policies for providing meaningful access to limited English proficiency individuals in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Any such plan shall (1) provide for staff training to ensure staff members can effectively work with limited English proficiency individuals, including understanding when to use professional interpreters or translation services, (2) establish procedures for identifying limited English proficiency individuals who require language assistance and ensure that all service delivery points are equipped to assist such individuals, including telephone and web- based services, and (3) ensure that limited English proficiency individuals with disabilities have equal access to language and disability-related services, including assistance with interpretation and translation of materials in accessible formats such as braille, audio and assistive technology.
(d) Each state agency shall designate an existing employee as a language access coordinator who will be responsible for implementing language access policies and coordinating services in accordance with the adopted plan of such agency.
Such coordinator shall collect and report data on the language needs of the populations they serve, using data from the2020 Census and American Community Survey estimates, or successive survey, and report such data to the Office of Language Access not later than May first of each year.
LCO No.
6254 3 of 6 Committee Bill No.
955 (e) Each state agency shall provide publicly available language access plans on the Internet web site of such agency, detailing available language assistance services and the process for requesting such services.
(f) Each state agency shall evaluate and periodically revise written materials and web sites to ensure that they are accessible to people of varying literacy levels, including thosewithlimitedEnglish proficiency.
Sec.
2.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) As used in this section:
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(1) "Health care provider" means any person employed by or acting on behalf of a health care facility or institution;
and (2) "Health care facility or institution" means a hospital, nursing home, rest home, home health care agency, home health aide agency, emergency medical services organization, assisted living services agency, outpatient surgical facility and an infirmary operated by an educational institution for the care of students enrolled in, and faculty and employees of, such institution.
(b) Each health care facility or institution that receives state or federal funding shall ensure that limited English proficiency individuals seeking health care services from a health care provider in the state receive language assistance to ensure equal access to programs, services andactivities,including,butnotlimitedto, providingtimely,competent and culturally appropriate language assistance services, including translation of health-related materials and interpretation services prior to, during and after medical appointments.
Sec.
3.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) Each local and regional board of education shall ensure that limited English proficiency individuals who are students in the district of such board and the families of such students receive information and services in their preferred language at all levels of education, from preschool through high school, including, but not limited to, providing interpretation services for limited English LCO No.
6254 4 of 6 Committee Bill No.955 proficiency students and parents during parent-teacher conferences, disciplinary proceedings and other educational activities.
Sec.
4.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) Each constituent unit, as defined in section 10a-1 of the general statutes, shall ensure that limited English proficiency individuals who are students in the institutions of higher education of such constituent unit and the families of such students receive information and services in their preferred language.
Sec.
5.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2025) (a) There is established an Office of Language Access within the Department of Consumer Protection.
The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall designate an existing employee to serve as the executive director of the Office of Language Access.
(b) The office shall:
(1) Oversee the enforcement of language access policies within state agencies;
(2) Investigate complaints of noncompliance with the provisions of sections 1 to 4, inclusive, of this act, including failure to provide appropriate interpretation or translation services;
(3) Establish a formal process for individuals to request language assistance services;
and (4) Analyze the data collected and submitted by language access coordinators under section 1 of this act to evaluate the need for expanded language assistance services in different regions of the state and adjust language access plans to meet the evolving needs of limited English proficiency communities.
(c) Not later than February 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the executive director shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters LCO No.
6254 5 of 6 Committee Bill No.
955 relating to government administration, human services, public health, higher education and education.
Such report shall include a summary of the analysis conducted under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section, the services provided by the office during the preceding year, theresultsofany investigationsconductedunder thissectionduring the preceding year and any recommendations for necessary legislation.
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 October 1, 2025 New section Sec.
2 October 1, 2025 New section Sec.
3 October 1, 2025 New section Sec.
4 October 1, 2025 New section Sec.
5 October 1, 2025 New section Statement of Purpose:
To require the adoption of various policies concerning the offering of translation and interpretation services to ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency have meaningful access to programs and services offered by state and local government agencies, contractorsand other entities that receive state funding.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets.
Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.] Co-Sponsors:
SEN.
RAHMAN, 4th Dist.;
REP.
REYES, 75th Dist.
REP.
TURCO, 27th Dist.
S.B.
955 LCO No.
6254 6 of 6
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Action History

  1. PUBLIC HEARING 0321

  2. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections

  3. DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

  4. Vote to Draft

  5. REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Government Administration and Elections

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 187 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (187)

187 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 187 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current status of SB 955?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 955?
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